HARTFORD, CONN. -- The Trinity Bantams improved to 6-0 with a 32-13 win over visiting Williams. Williams was left scoreless in the second half, while Trinity was able to extend their 3-point halftime lead by two scores in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Trinity remains alone at the top of the NESCAC at 6-0, while Williams falls to 1-5 after 4 consecutive losses. Trinity will host Bowdoin next Saturday, while Williams takes on Bates in Williamstown.
After a quick three and out from Williams to start the game, Trinity drove the field on their opening drive on a 13-play, 63-yard advance finished off by a six-yard rushing touchdown from running back Will Kirby. The ensuing PAT was no good. 6-0 Trinity.
Williams responded with a long drive of their own (14 plays, 75 yards), retiring the rest of the first quarter and capitalizing on the first play of the second quarter with a one yard touchdown run from senior captain Dan Vaughn. This was Vaughn's first career start at quarterback, and he directed several impressive drives throughout the game. He finished the game 10-18 passing for 118 yards with 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Mike DeGasperis led the Ephs with 3 receptions for 52 yards, including an acrobatic 36 yard snag down the sideline.
DeGasperis '23 said after the game, " We got out executed. They knew what we wanted to do and we knew what they wanted to do. At the end of the day they just did their jobs better than we did."
Eph Head Coach
Mark Raymond remarked, "We only played one good half of football and couldn't sustain it for the second half.
Dan Vaughn gave us a good chance with his steady play and toughness, but Trinity is a solid team and they deserved to win."
After a blocked PAT following Williams' first score, the game was even at 6. Trinity followed up on their next drive with another long drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal from kicker Matthew Jumes to break the tie and put Trinity up 9-6.
A few possessions later, Williams forced a Trinity punt that hit an Eph return player that was recovered by the Bantams, giving them the ball at the Williams 35-yard line. On the following play, Trinity scored on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Dinapoli on a trick-play end around. The PAT was good, and the score was 16-6.
Dan Vaughn and the Ephs answered back with a 2 yard Vaughn touchdown run following a 6-minute, 75 yard drive down to Trinity's goal. Sophomore Ivan Shuran buried the PAT, trimming Trinity's lead 16-13. This was Williams' final score of the game.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Trinity kicker Jumes knocked in another 27-yard field goal to extend the Bantam lead 19-13. After a Williams punt, Trinity QB Spencer Fetter found Senior Receiver Devante Reid on a 22-yard touchdown pass. Fetter finished the day 16-24 passing with 220 yards and two touchdowns. Trinity finished the day with 437 yards of total offense compared to Williams' 195.
The final score of the game came on a two yard touchdown run from Trinity's Tyler Dinapoli, for his second score of the game. This and the ensuing PAT brought the score to 32-13.
Next Saturday at 1:00 PM the Ephs will host Bates College on Farley-Lamb Field at 1:00 PM.
